Qa-78, 15 December 2018, Statement Of The Spokesperson Of The Ministry Of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Hami Aksoy, In Response To A Question Regarding Turkish Armed Forces’ Operations Against Pkk Elements In Iraqi Territory And Summoning Of The Turkish Ambassador To The Foreign Ministry Of Iraq

Republic Of Turkey Ministry Of Foreign Affairs 15.12.2018

PKK terrorist organisation has been using Iraqi territory for many years as
a base for its attacks against our country. Tens of thousands of our
citizens lost their lives due to these attacks. PKK’s activities in Iraqi
and Syrian territory have become a paramount national security concern for
Turkey.

To date, the Iraqi government has been many times called upon to fulfil its
responsibility to prevent PKK’s terrorist activities on its soil. As a
matter of fact, Article 7 of the Iraqi Constitution mandates the government
to deny the use of Iraqi territory as a staging ground for attacks against
neighbouring countries by hostile groups.

Within the framework of good neighbourly relations and the general
principles of international cooperation in combatting terrorism in all its
forms and manifestations, Turkey fulfils its responsibilities to counter
terrorism in Iraq. Accordingly, Turkey gives all support to Iraq in its
struggle against terrorist organisations. The same understanding and
cooperation are expected from the Iraqi part.

In cases which, the Iraqi authorities fail to take necessary steps in
countering the terrorist threat against Turkey, the Turkish Armed Forces
retaliate to PKK’s terrorist attacks against our country from Iraqi soil in
exercise of the right to self defence in accordance with Article 51 of the
UN Charter.

Hence, as a result of the operations conducted at Mount Sincar and Mount
Karacak on 13th of December 2018, the Turkish Armed Forces inflicted heavy
losses to the terrorist organisation PKK. During these operations, all
necessary measures were taken to prevent civilian casualties. Operations
will continue in line with Turkey’s security requirements as long as
terrorist organisation PKK operates on Iraqi soil.